Only great music from Santana

Santana’s latest album is Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time and it is one of his most talked about works. The debate depends on how you look at Santana. For most, it is the legendary band fronted by Carlos Santana that made history at Woodstock and hits like Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, Samba Pa Ti and Oye Como Va. Carlos himself is considered a legend and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Ergo, we can expect only great music from him.

Now after a spell off the charts in the ’90s, Santana hit upon a surefire formula that revived his career. Another music legend, producer Clive Davis came up with the idea of Santana collaborating with other artists in an album. The result was the Grammy winning monster seller Supernatural with the great single Smooth featuring Rob Thomas. Everybody was happy with the results and Santana has since then repeated the formula with other artists in other albums to the chagrin of his followers. They claim that Santana has now become a covers band dependent on the hits of other artists.

Santana has done it again with Guitar Heaven. He performs rock oldies whose original versions featured memorable guitar performances. Now even the song line-up of this one is cause for discussion. Are these really The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time? Maybe not. But the album has other things going for it that everybody will be in total agreement. First, this must be one of the most star-studded albums I have ever seen. All of the collaborators, the songs and the original artists of every song are stars. These are what I call really big.

Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin featuring Chris Cornell of Soundgarden; Can’t You Hear Me Knocking by the Rolling Stones with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots; Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream with Rob Thomas; While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison featuring India.arie and cellist Yo Yo Ma; Def Leppard’s Photograph featuring Chris Daughtry; Back In Black by AC/DC with rapper Nas; The Doors’ Riders On The Storm with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and Ray Manzarek organist of the original Doors; Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water with Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach; Van Halen’s Dance The Night Away with Pat Monahan of Train; T. Rex’s Bang A Gong with Gavin Rossdale of Bush; Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix featuring Joe Cocker; Jeff Beck’s I Ain’t Superstitious with Jonny Lang; Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fortunate Son with Scott Stapp of Creed; and Under The Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers with Andy Vargas.

Another thing that nobody is likely to dispute is Santana’s guitar work. It is so fluid, so confident and constantly flashing brilliance. In fact, if the song line-up could talk I am sure they would all say how great they feel about the chance to have Santana play their melodies. Standouts are While My Guitar Gently Weeps, that combination of india.arie and Yo Yo Ma is one for the ages; Thomas’ sleek take on Sunshine Of Your Love; and Cornell’s young Robert Plant version of Whole Lotta Love. It is formulaic and commercial, but if you are open to hearing a rap AC/DC song, you will find Guitar Heaven, one of the most enjoyable albums ever. Great songs with great performances. Those are all that matter.

Also great music from The Cascades

More great music out of the past is in store for fans of The Cascades. The group from the ’60s that we cannot seem to get enough of is back. The original Cascades, composed of John Claude Gummoe and Charles Crews were singing Rhythm Of The Rain again and other hits at the Heritage Hotel Ballroom last Oct. 7. John Ford Coley, formerly with England Dan was their special guest.

Great news for fans who missed that one. The Original Cascades will be at the Pagcor Grand Theater in Sucat, Parañaque on Oct. 17. Rhythm Of The Rain which Gummoe composed and recorded as the group’s lead singer in the early ’60s leads the song lineup that is now known as the Magic Twelve. The others are Shy Girl, The Last Leaf, Angel On My Shoulder, Dreamin’, There’s A Reason, My First Day Alone, Punch And Judy, I Wanna Be Your Lover, Was I Dreamin’, Let Me Be and Lucky Guy. The special guest this time is Terry Sylvester who was formerly with The Hollies as in the hit tune Bus Stop.

The Original Cascades is presented by GMA 7, Q-11, RJ100.3FM and Steve O’Neal Productions in collaboration with Heritage Hotel, Zest Air, PCSO, Business Mirror, Hard Rock Café, SM Supermalls, IFM, Wave 89.1, 99.5RT, Magic 89.9 and Jam 88.3.